Abi

Take a pic, it’ll last forever

He is Isagi because he breaks down your defenses until you're trembling and desperate beneath him.

He is Bachira because he dances around your defenses with that same wicked grin, teasing you until you're finally in love.

He is Kunigami because his strength overwhelms you, relentless and unyielding until you submit.

He is Chigiri because he moves too fast for you to catch your breath, leaving you chasing after him.

He is Sae because he loves proving you wrong—every time you think you can handle him, he breaks you down even further.

He is Barou because he wants you on your knees begging for mercy you won't get.

He is Niko because he waits patiently, watching your every move until you're exactly where he wants you.

He is Reo because he adapts to your every desire, molding himself into the perfect match.

He is Nagi because he traps you with ease and handles you with flawless control.

He is Rin, because dominating you is the only thing that excites him.

He is Shidou because he plays rough, taking you over the edge with no hesitation and brutality.

He is Hiori because he knows exactly where to put you to make the moment perfect.

He is Kaiser because he'll make you kneel and call him king before the final whistle even blows.

thinking about how barou is def a secret lover boy n total romantic at heart… he’d never miss the opportunity to kiss your knuckles out of the blue while you go about your day or let you braid his hair when you’re bored. he picks up on your interests quickly, always eager and ready to listen to them— even if he has not a single clue what you’re talking about. barou loves listening to all of the songs you play in his car, listening and watching as you tap or nod your head to the beat from his peripheral vision, keeping them in mind and playing a few of them during his practices. he has jewelry with your initials on them, always a seat reserved just for you at his games, only the best view for his lover.

barou is a provider and protector at heart. anything you’d want, he would get it for you. silently placing a bag down on the dining table with the pastry you’ve been dying to try at 8 in the morning that he was able to pick up while he passed the bakery during his morning jog or that piece of clothing you glanced at for approximately .5 milliseconds. he loves spoiling you. that man is glued to your side whenever you’re out in public, he isn’t too big on pda but his hand is always resting on your waist or hip; massaging the supple skin beneath his calloused fingertips as he guides you around the marketplace. he loves leaning down whenever you have something to say to him or if you want to give him a kiss. he loves all of you. barou isn’t afraid of showing it too. feathery, gentle touches dancing along your every inch of your trembling body almost seamlessly. soft whispers of praise and appreciation that are only meant for your heart and ears when you two are alone.

barou’s a sucker for you. even if he won’t admit it. even when he’s washing your hair and complaining that your shampoo sucks or scowling at you for not eating the pickles in your sandwich before he stuffs them in his mouth. even when he complains that the game you like is ‘stupid’ because he’s lost for what feels like the 500th time against you. barou doesn’t outright admit it but he would do anything to see the twinkle in your eyes when you look at him, the way your eyes crinkle and shine at him. the beaming smile and the kiss on his cheek that you give him to show him you’re thankful. you’re his baby after all. there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for you. he loves to love you.

pre-relationship! sae who saw you sitting on the curb, looking exhausted with your bag open. thinking you were asking for money, he dropped some bills in. you gave him a confused look, but he just shrugged and walked off.

pre-relationship! rin who always trailed two steps behind you at school, looking like he was on a secret mission to protect you from absolutely nothing. one time, someone tried to ask you a question, and rin stepped forward, cleared his throat, and said, “she’s busy.” you weren’t even talking to anyone.

pre-relationship! bachira who kept seeing you on his couch, thinking you were just another one of his imagination’s weird visitors. he’d wave at you, go about his day—until you started stealing his snacks. that’s when he realized you were real, and his mom was tutoring you in art.

pre-relationship! barou had this odd habit of pulling out a handkerchief whenever you sniffled from the cold, pressing it to your nose and saying, “blow.” the first time you were weirded out, but after a while, you just gave up and let him do it.

pre-relationship! nagi who would always destroy you in games, not knowing it was you he was playing against. the next day, he’d sit next to you in class, completely unaware that a few hours ago he was trash-talking you, and you were doing the same back. you’d share a look, but neither of you would say a word.

pre-relationship! isagi who tried so hard to act cool around you, but his ears always betrayed him, going red every time you acknowledged him. one day, in a nervous attempt to be smooth, he accidentally called you “your majesty.” after a beat of awkward silence, he just casually walked away like nothing happened—pretending he didn’t just say that.

"I'm going to tell her about my identity myself"

I personally think by taking this step jinshi is clearly indicating that he's ready to take his relationship with Maomao to the next level. The flashbacks of his conversation with the old man and the empress actually clearifies it. He's not going to let anyone take Maomao away from him even if it means he has to make Maomao his consort for that. And since he's going to take that step, before that he wants Maomao to know his real identity. Telling her himself is not just about honesty, but about building a deeper connection and showing his seriousness about their future.

Also this is probably the first time I'm seeing Maomao "openly" worrying about Jinshi. Her feelings for Jinshi is gradually improving too. She doesn't find him annoying anymore lol.

When Maomao touched him—this small, unexpected gesture—it pierced straight through his carefully built defenses. He knew it's not the touch of someone trying to claim him, nor someone infatuated with his beauty. It's real. Thoughtful. And it meant everything to him. And that's why he blushed.

Jinshi's expression looks like this moment is something he's been waiting for—or something he didn't believe he deserved until now. His expression is calm on the surface, but there's a quiet vulnerability beneath it. It's like he's surrendering to whatever happens next, trusting Maomao completely. There's a silent question in his eyes "Are you really here for me?"

As for Maomao, she sees something in Jinshi's gaze that shocks her. His eyes aren't playful. They aren't teasing. They're not masking his true emotions behind flirtation or charm like he usually does. Instead, his expression is laid bare—calm, open, and completely vulnerable and for the first time, Maomao sees him. Not the flawless, untouchable beauty of the inner palace. Not the high-ranking, enigmatic figure others fawn over or fear. But the man behind all of that. And what she finds there shocks her.

The look in his eyes is intense—soft, yet piercing, like he's seeing only her in that moment. There's a deep tenderness, an unspoken confession lingering behind his gaze. His violet eyes reflect a quiet vulnerability, as if he's silently baring his soul without saying a word. It's the kind of look that speaks volumes: he treasures her more than anything, and there's a longing there, like he's afraid of losing her, but is still drawn closer despite that fear.

Also the shock in Maomao's eyes tells that she has realised the truth. For so long, she thought Jinshi was just toying with her—an aristocrat playing a game of amusement with the lowly, odd apothecary who caught his interest. She had convinced herself that his attention was fleeting, shallow, and rooted in curiosity or boredom. She thought she understood the rules of their dynamic, and she was comfortable in that belief. It was safer that way. But in this moment her mind reels, trying to process this new truth that turns her world upside down. It's written all over her face—the widening of her eyes, the subtle parting of her lips. Her heart is pounding because she realises the depth of Jinshi's feelings, and with that realisation comes the weight of what it means. He's not playing anymore. He never was.

It's all just my thoughts though, I haven't read the manga yet! But I'm really loving the fact how their relationship is progressing!

i really like the part where u mention her heart beating cause idk if they're gonna say it in the anime but maomao when she backs up here thinks something along the lines of "if we stay this close, he's going to feel my heart pounding against him" and its so ughrkjgrghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh god i love them ur analysis of this scene is so good

Yeah I've read that manga panel and hopefully they'll adapt it into the anime and won't cut like the "perfume" thing. Because this dialogue is gonna be a very important Jinmao moment where Maomao first expresses her romantic feelings for him. So let's just hope they won't cut the scene.